Cruising and Isla San Francisco, 4/13/2019, National Geographic Venture
Aboard the
National Geographic Venture
Baja California
For the final day of this incredible voyage we consigned ourselves to doing only our favorite expedition pastimes. In the morning, we enjoyed the spectacular Baja California wildlife with numerous blue whale sightings. The afternoon was had doing as much or as little as desired at the postcard-perfect Half Moon Beach. We all came together and enjoyed our final group slideshow in the evening, reflecting afterward on everything we have seen and done over the course of our memorable and moving voyage.
Mike learned early on that the best way to escape Ohio was to become a marine biologist. During college at Wittenberg University he attended a semester at Duke University's Marine Lab — that time only confirmed his love for all things oceanic and ma...
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We enjoyed another amazing sunrise this morning, with the addition of multiple sightings of sperm whales just before breakfast — what a way to start our last day in Baja on National Geographic Venture ! After breakfast we had a landing at Punta Gato, in an area with a lovely long sand beach and incredible sandstone formations, for walks through Baja’s unique desert landscape. A number of guests enjoyed a refreshing dip in the ocean, while others just relaxed on their last landing of the voyage! All afternoon we cruised the rich Sea of Cortez waters looking for more marine life, and we were finally rewarded with a sunset encounter with multiple blue whales, the largest creatures on our wonderful planet. Another perfect day in Baja!
A breathtaking sunrise of pink, gold, and blue greeted the guests of National Geographic Venture upon their arrival at Los Islotes. A small, protected rock of an island, Los Islotes is famous for its colony of playful California sea lions. They more than delivered, with leaping acrobatics and up-close greetings for our snorkelers. Our birders were delighted with several yellow-footed gulls, a peregrine falcon, magnificent frigatebirds, blue-footed boobies, Cocos boobies, and of course turkey vultures, all among the rocks of the islands. The bow was filled multiple times as our guests gazed upon the breaching humpbacks along the way to La Paz. And once we arrived, what a tremendous fiesta awaited us! After a rousing cultural dance performance, we crossed the street to the restaurant, which was fully booked just for our guests. What a great way to experience the capital of Baja.
This morning the other half of the world — the half that lives under the sea — came into view through snorkel masks. Damselfish, sergeant majors, Moorish idols and many, many more swam in vast schools or darted between rocks. Cabo Pulmo National Park is a marine paradise. Back in the pangas, wrapped in towels and sharing fish stories, we experienced another natural wonder: a mother humpback whale, and her just-weeks-old calf, slowly swam in front of us. Mom seemed interested in a nap, but her young one rolled over, seemingly wanting to play. Then, to our amazement, a third whale appeared and gave us a full-body breach! Scanning the waters of the Sea of Cortez, we watched gulls, jaegers, and the distant blows of whales. Looking back from the water, we observed a small head, pointy nose, and long whiskers. To our surprise it was a rare animal to find: a Guadelupe fur seal. Staying only a moment, it soon went about its life, leaving us to wonder where it was going next. Lisa Hornak, our National Geographic Certified Photo Instructor, taught us photographic storytelling that helped us see our photos beyond just light and composition. The sun set over the mountains of Baja California Sur, and we glowed as much as it did with the memories of our day.
